This evening State Representative Roger Kirby (D-Florence) delivered the Democratic response to Governor Henry McMaster's State of the State address. The South Carolina House Democratic Caucus provided the full text of Rep. Kirby's remarks, which you can read below.
"Good evening. I am Representative Roger Kirby and the Assistant Minority Leader of the South Carolina House. I am really honored to be here tonight and I truly appreciate this opportunity to speak with you. My wife Pam and I live in Lake City. I represent House District 101 which includes Williamsburg, Berkeley and Florence Counties.
I understand that many of you listening tonight have rarely, if ever, voted for anyone outside of your party affiliation. Straight ticket voting has made it far too easy for the parties to dictate the outcome of our elections. We serve in a statehouse that has a very strong Republican majority. In fact, each year our ability to have meaningful debate has continued to erode under the pressures of what has effectively turned into a one-party system. Now instead of seeing vigorous debate on important issues, we are seeing infighting within the Republican ranks and continual emphasis on highly inflammatory issues - debated for purely political reasons – not on legislation for the good of South Carolina. Democracy depends upon a system that encourages vigorous debate and seeks compromise. Today, it is obvious that we have moved from this core principle of governance into a system that has lost accountability to the people and subsequently has lost the trust of the people.
We Democrats are your neighbors, teachers, ministers, local business owners, and friends from across all walks of life. There are times when we don’t agree with Republicans on policy. We all come from different backgrounds, and we have different life experiences that have shaped the way we look at things. It’s this diversity that makes us great. It’s our diversity that makes us stronger. History has taught us that the best solutions to problems are found when consensus is forged, not forced. Only then will we find we have much more in common with each another than we initially thought.
There have been strategic and well-funded efforts to instill distrust and fear from outside extremist interests. I implore all South Carolinians to stand against the politics of division and to demand that we return to a system which encourages debate, seeks compromise and emphasizes policies to address our critical needs, not to acquiesce to the outside interests far removed from South Carolina.
We are called to be people of hope. Not people of fear. Our forefathers even understood the significance of hope within our state motto:
“While I Breathe, I Hope.”
We just listened to Governor McMaster’s State of the State address. We are encouraged by the bi-partisan efforts that have resulted in exciting announcements in economic development and in infrastructure investment for our state. We appreciate the Governor’s stated intention to support the crucial work of our state employees and our teachers with long overdue pay raises. It's the Democrats who have been pushing for these measures for years and we welcome the Republican leadership’s willingness to work alongside us to make these initiatives a reality.
But I also need to tell you about what the Governor didn’t address tonight. After more than twenty years of Republican control of the Legislature and the Executive branch, led by the Governor’s office, South Carolina finds itself 36th for healthcare outcomes, 42nd for education outcomes, and a staggering 46th for crime! Accountability for these dismal statistics is lacking. Also lacking in his address was reasoning for the Republican Comptroller’s miscounting of 3.5 billion (with a “B”) dollars … or the Education Lottery misplacing millions of dollars meant for student tuition scholarships! These are just symptoms of what one-party rule without accountability looks like.
An undeniable condition in our State is something I’d like to refer to as the “Great Divide.” There is an essential difference in the quality of life between the “haves” and the “have nots.”
Regionalization and urbanization of economic development has created a lack of employment opportunity and increased income inequality for many of our citizens living in rural communities. These trends negatively impact reliable infrastructure, public safety, access to quality healthcare, access to food security, and access to fully funded public schools. This urbanization of wealth also leaves vast numbers of our unemployed and our underemployed living in these overlooked areas. Access to affordable childcare and availability of transportation, or lack thereof, plays a vital role in our workforce development. Republicans continue to ignore these persistent problems with their inaction.
We are blessed with a vibrant agricultural economy and democrats fully support our farmers. We understand the important role our farming communities play in national security. Notwithstanding, food insecurity and food deserts persist. Just last week, we learned that thousands of children could go hungry because of a political decision made, by the Governor: unilaterally refusing to participate in the summer food program. Democrats ask that the Governor to immediately change course and to participate in this program for feeding our children. These are your tax dollars and should be used for our children.
Democrats believe it is past time to expand Medicaid coverage. South Carolina’s poor health rankings are exacerbated by the lack of access to affordable healthcare. Our children’s healthcare outcomes, particularly in our minority and rural communities ranks near the bottom at 41st of all states. I must remind you that Medicaid expansion is enjoyed by 40 other states, again, your tax dollars going to other states. Let’s make this a bi-partisan effort to help the over 350,000 residents who are uninsured or underinsured, including 82,000 children.
Did you realize there are currently 14 counties in South Carolina with zero OB-GYN doctors. Even with these glaring statistics, republicans have decided to further restrict healthcare for women. Democrats stand with South Carolina’s women. They are our daughters, our sisters, our mothers, and Democrats will always advocate on their behalf.
We find ourselves fighting a new pandemic…one that is born of loneliness and despair. Our rates of drug addiction and suicide are alarming. Democrats have been advocating for significant investments required for treatment centers as well as for the addition of mental health professionals to allow for enhanced treatment. Our county jails are filled with many inmates suffering from mental health issues, drug addiction or both. Many of these people need treatment, not a prison cell.
We remain one of two states, that’s right, two states in this country without hate crimes legislation. I implore you to contact Republican senators and urge them to stop blocking this legislation.
In conclusion, we celebrate our many successes in economic development and economic growth heralded in the Governor’s address. We respect and appreciate our Governor. Yet we face many daunting challenges which will require Democrats and Republicans working with unity of purpose. We can return to a time when ideas were debated, not dictated. But we need your help. Get involved. Help us rebuild a government that is of, by, and for the people…that protects your rights, your freedoms and that provides opportunity for all people. That’s how we restore trust in government and hope for the future. Democrats stand ready and willing to do the hard work and we are earnestly asking for your support.
Thank you for your time and for your attention. May God continue to bless each of you and may God Bless the Great State of South Carolina."
